Ewww! Seriously? Photo courtesy of Janet Hilton
I’m not done. I wasn’t so much bothered by my last diatribe as I was puzzled. And I realized that I’m not finished discussing this issue. People have been so supportive and I thank you all.
When I first got into learning about aviculture I thought the welfare of the birds was first and foremost. And I said just that at a dinner with some other birds people. They almost laughed me out of the restaurant.
Because this issue isn’t just about the damned tub, or the damned Chop, or my own damned opinion. It’s about getting nit-picked to death. I thought I was prepared for this. When I went through the landslide of the aftermath of Cookie the Penguin, I just thought, “Well, that wasn’t easy, but I lived.”
I thought I had lived through some of the worst crap I’d ever encountered regarding my little corner of heaven here at WordPress. Ha!
I once made an observation on Facebook regarding having to get back on a plane after four days of utter hell which included stepping into human poop and getting pinned onto the hood of a car by a guy with a broken leg.
I remarked, “You know that scene in the film, ‘The African Queen’ where Bogart gets out of the river and realizes he is covered in leeches? And after screwing around trying to push the boat forward through the reeds from the deck, he realizes he has to get back in the water? That’s how I feel right now about going to work today.”
Right now, that’s how I feel about writing here right now. I have to do it, but it’s beginning to honk me off.
Photo courtesy of Janet Hilton
I am not looking for sympathy. I’m a grown-up and I can handle it. But it’s sort of like a wonderful intro to a folk song done by the Limeliters: “Here comes the smut Martha….”
It’s more about what I’m trying to accomplish here. The more I write about what I know and love and I guess, more importantly, what I don’t know, the more readers I seem to get. And that’s just fine with me. I am a writer to the bone and it’s obviously more fun if people are reading your stuff. I’ve managed to hang in there going on four years now having written hundreds and hundreds of posts and imparting a lot of good information.
Photo courtesy of Janet Hilton
I’d like to think this blog has helped people, entertained them and more importantly, made them think. Not just about birds. While this blog is about birds, there’s more to it than that. It’s about life. It’s about the day-to-day when you happen to have parrots in the house, which on occasion can be pretty damned interesting. But it’s also about making a commitment to them. It reminds me of some lines in the film, The Lion in Winter:
Henry II: I want no women in my life.
Princess Alais: You’re tired.
Henry II: I could have conquered Europe – all of it – but I had women in my life.
Substitute the word, “Parrots” for women and that pretty much explains many of our lives.
It’s my blog. And given the fact that I pay for the damned thing, I guess that gives me the prerogative to post what’s on my mind. I’ve been wrong on many occasions. But not this time.
The tub controversy is so juvenile, so trivial and so junior high, it’s like being vilified in the 7th grade for wearing the wrong kind of jeans. Ewwww! Seriously? If people want to pick on something why not pick on something that makes a damned difference in the world? Go educate the seed feeders. Or help the hoarders. But leave me and my damned tub out of it. And leave Janet’s tub out of it too. But while we’re on the subject of tubs, did you know that cleaning your tub and filling it with water is on the checklist for hurricane preparedness? It’s true. Go look it up.
But for the most part, this controversy isn’t about tubs. It’s about the fact that some people think they know better than anyone else. And they begin typing before they start thinking. And if something so stupid and so trivial bothers you, you have too much time on your hands. As for me, I’m on to other things. More important things. Like deciding what to make for dinner.
Photo courtesy of Janet Hilton
April 12, 2012 at 8:44 am
Amen!
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April 12, 2012 at 8:53 am
I was once called opinionated and self-righteous for a post on my Facebook wall. Well, it’s my post so it IS my opinion (duh!) and as far as self-righteous, well, pot-kettle-black!
I completely understand and sympathize with your feelings on this matter. I am afraid social media has created a cyber-world where we don’t have to have manners and be polite to each other. Pity.
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April 12, 2012 at 8:56 am
Lol. I LOVE your blog.
I’m to down under to argue with people. It’s not that I am from Holland, but it’s just me.
Some time ago I decided not to argue with people I think there not worth it.
And they are certainly not worth to take my precious energy.
But when I read your blog, I have to really laugh. Go Girl!
I like the part that you pay for your damn blog so you can write what you will. AMEN!
Thats it, let them ‘simmer’.
Lot’s of love from Holland 😀
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April 12, 2012 at 9:53 am
Bravo I applaud you for this, unfortunately there will always be someone who thinks they know more then everyone else. I usually don’t give them the time of day because their opinion doesn’t matter.
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April 12, 2012 at 11:00 am
Don’t let the bastards get you down!
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April 12, 2012 at 11:09 am
OMG, were those vegetables on the floor?! LOL!
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April 12, 2012 at 12:34 pm
You touched that penguin with your bare hands????? Do you know where that penguin has been???? Did I see you stirring chop in tub using you bare hand??? This is a outrage!!! Patricia, I love your blog & I love what you are doing for parrots, please keep it up. You’re AWESOME!!!!!
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April 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Briana, I DID touch that damned penguin! And I DID touch that Chop! But not in the same year….
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April 12, 2012 at 12:53 pm
In the kitchen pic, Patricia &I Irene look like I feel when I smell (or, God fobid, taste) cilantro! Hint: this is NOT a good thing.
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April 12, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Then use basil! Whatever makes you happy…
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April 12, 2012 at 3:38 pm
You go girl!!! I love your blog and while I may not agree with all your opinions I will stand with you about your right to express them. I used to keep turtles in my bathtub and no one in my family thought anything about it at all…
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April 12, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Kate. Not everyone has to agree with me. That’s not with this is about. Take the information that works for you. That’s all. And thanks for posting. It means a lot!
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April 12, 2012 at 3:49 pm
alright, direct me to where the bitches are bitching please!
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April 12, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Because of you & your chop recipe (tub included, which I think is genuis), my parrots are healthier & much happier. Which makes me a happier person too.
Thanks, and stay strong. Love reading your blog.
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April 12, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I’m actually in the midst of writing a very similar blog entry. 🙂 Solidarity!
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April 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm
High Four!
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April 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Unfortunately, as we were talking about last night, no matter who you are and what you do, haters gonna hate! Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. Making and promoting healthy food for healthy parrots!
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April 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Whoops, excuse the grammar there…..
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April 13, 2012 at 1:21 pm
Lisa, you’re a Doctor dammit, not a linguist!
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April 13, 2012 at 10:56 am
My god I love the way you write!! I feel your indignation. Just keep doing what you do please! Wow I feel like printing out this blog and posting it everywhere. To hell with haters!
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April 13, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Thanks Yvonne! Share away if you like. I’m sure my indignation is going to piss someone off somewhere… I’m rather getting used to it.
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April 13, 2012 at 7:59 pm
I can’t believe people are giving you such crap over this! well, okay, yes I can. This is the Internet after all! To hell with ’em. Apparently they have nothing better to do than act like bullies behind a computer screen. They don’t know you at ALL, and have obviously never read this blog before, or they would know you’d never do something that would endanger your birds like using a dirty tub. They’re nitwits.
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April 16, 2012 at 5:57 am
I meant to write earlier to show my support but recently my human life has overtaken my online bird life.
People are always going to complain about the way you do things and say they know better. Especially when it comes to pet care. Pets bring out the best and the absolute worst in people.
The whole bathtub controversy (can’t believe I just typed that!) is pretty silly. I’m sure your tub is cleaner than most people’s you-know-whats.
And I agree that it really isn’t about the tub or Chop but about nagging and bullying someone into agreeing that they are wrong and your way is the only way. If only we all quaked in fear behind our computer screens and meekly obeyed these people would be out of a job.
Chop with a capital C is your concept. In my humble opinion of course. Obviously you are not the only person who does this and there are all sorts of other names like mash and whatever else. I do not recall you ever staking claim to the idea though and running around like a lunatic insisting people credit you every time they throw some veggies in a blender.
You talk about it and demonstrate it to help other people enrich the lives of their birds. Not because you have a huge ego and think you are the only person who really understands what birds need.
You do a lot of good for birds all over the place and I am happy to see you are not shoving your opinions down our throats but presenting them in a way that makes people curious. Keep on tubbing!
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July 31, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Knowing Patricia,, I might be inclined to eat out of Patricia’s tub before I eat off of other people’s dishes..
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July 31, 2012 at 7:38 pm
It really sucks to be judged and hung by people who don’t know you and have never seen your or your birds living situation….I know it has ruined the bird world for me and I was not the one judged. But to see other people treated that way for doing what their heart says was right killed it for me. I pretty much avoid all bird groups anymore….Your tub is your tub, your birds are your birds….who has that right to judge you?
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August 1, 2012 at 9:05 am
I feel your pain! I would say it is hard to hear the negatives being recently on the other end of this. If I post on a puplic post I have the right to voice my oppinion. You also have the right to voice yours, however why do people have to be cruel? If you hurt my feelings I will let you know! Keep doing the good work & fighting the good fight! We support you.
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